They are beautiful. They are poignant. In their totality the former synagogues of Detroit outline a once closely knit neighborhood from the days when Detroit was a conglomerate of vibrant immigrant and ethnic communities, of a time when families walked to places of worship which stood in the midst of their neighborhoods.

Most synagogues, grand and humble, can be found along or near Linwood and Dexter, south of Davison in the once predominantly Jewish near west side of Detroit. Today all of the synagogues are Christian houses of worship for members of Detroit's Afro American community.

This is a story of two communities and two faiths, who worshipped and worship in a common place. Life moves on but the Lost Synagogues of Detroit live on and continue to serve their community and shelter its faith.

Come with me as I explore this intriguing facet of Detroit history and help me to discover their story.  I am an outsider to their history,  I know little about them.  Do you? 

This is a self authoring art work. Join the others who are contributing their memories and knowledge. Special thanks to those who have contributed and whose words enrich this site.

This art site has been created by Lowell Boileau, author of the Fabulous Ruins of Detroit website

Standing alone amid tall grasses and wild flowers of the urban wilderness, it is difficult to believe the former Shaarey Torah Synagogue on Brush was once squeezed in to a densely built and populated neighborhood. Shaarey Torah, along with the Delmar Shul form the latest additions to The Lost Synagogues of Detroit.

"The Silence of Sinai" Click HERE to take a tour of the eerily empty former Sinai Hospital